On the Google Maps for mobile team we're always experimenting with new technologies, so we're happy to announce that we've started testing voice search as a new feature. Starting today, you can speak your business query instead of typing it on a select group of BlackBerry devices (Pearl 8110, 8120, and 8130, US only). Voice search in Google Maps uses the same speech recognition engine as GOOG-411, our free directory assistance service.

Using your voice to search for businesses is super useful in situations when you can't type, when the name of the business is long, or when you're not sure how to spell it. In other situations -- when you're in a library or a rock concert, for example -- typing makes more sense. Keeping that in mind, we designed this feature to allow you to choose whether to speak or type. Get it now on your BlackBerry Pearl by visiting http://m.google.com/maps on your mobile phone, or learn more here.

Using voice search is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

Press "0" to center the map view around your location

Press the left-side key and hold it while you say the name or type of business you're looking for (for example, "pizza")

When you're done speaking, release the left-side key, and our voice recognition technology will figure out your request and find the business you've been looking for, no typing needed.

This feature is experimental, which means a couple of things. First, similar to other voice-recognition technologies, the accuracy of voice recognition will improve over time as more people use the voice search feature. Second, the feature is currently only supported on 8110, 8120 and 8130 BlackBerry Pearl models in the US. Third, we'd love to get your feedback on it -- feel free to leave your comments below.

Update (8/12/08): we've been busy fixing bugs and adding support for BlackBerry 8100, so now voice search works on all Pearl devices. Hopefully, this will resolve any issues some of you might have had before. You can check out the updated version from any BlackBerry Pearl device in the US -- point your mobile browser to http://m.google.com/maps

Unless I'm missing something, the new feature (voice search) does not work as advertised. As erik said, pushing the left-side convenience key simply launches whatever application you have it set to launch.

Voice search will be a fantastic addition to Google Maps, but right now it does not work.

Please note that this experimental feature is currently limited to BlackBerry Pearl models 8110, 8120, and 8130, and is only available in the US. If your left side convenience key does not activate the voice search feature, then it's not yet available for your device. We hope to expand support in the future.

Hello, great app but I cannot get the voice service to activate. I have 8130(Sprint)and have changed my left key back to default(voice dialing). It activates voice signal and not the voice service of google maps 2.2.1 after step 1. Also tried setting the left key to google maps.

It works great for me. I was going to suggest that you add voice searches to the search history so that they can be repeated easily, but I see you have already thought of that.

The first time I ran the new version it asked me for permission to create a udp connection to 216.239.51.126. This made me a little bit suspicious, and I stopped to verify that this address belonged to google before continueing. It would be nice if this connection was made using a name rather than an IP address so that it is clear that it is a google server that is being accessed.

I think there's going to be a convenience key conflict. I have Vlingo installed (works great, BTW!) and it requires setting "nothing" to the left key, and then using Vlingo settings to set that key for voice. Having done that, I doubt I can use the Google voice feature.

Also, for those that have the right model and are in the US, just for the heck of it, try going into BB Options and set Keyboard/Screen to "nothing" on your handset and then see if Google has an app-specific voice setting. Maybe not, but that's what Vlingo needs.

I have an 8130 on Verizon and have reassigned the left button to another function. When I get to Step 2, the function that I have remapped to is activated, not the voice feature. I tried reassigning voice dialing to the left key, reinstalling GMM, and going through the process again, but rather than taking my voice and turning it into a search within GMM, I was simply put in touch with the entry that I have in my address book for pizza just like I would if I were trying to use ... the ... voice... dial feature. It seems that GMM isn't hooking the voice input from the Voice Dialing app.

Hey google! you should really update this article to not list the 8130 when it clearly does not work. Or at least it does not work for me, and every other 8130 user (sprint or verizon) that has posted.

I'm not sure what you VZW users are doing wrong. Try redownloading it. I just downloaded and installed it a few minutes ago and it works great! The only thing I had to change was the Media Access, but Google prompted it needed access, I didn't have to troubleshoot it.

I love it. Couldn't get it to work at first on my T-Mobile 8120 because I had switched the convenience key so I switched it back to default and all is well. Who needs a GPS receiver when I've got this!

Sprint 8130 here, same problem; left convienence just opens up whatever it's programmed for. The maps portion of the software works, but no voice available. I think it was a bit pre-mature for this release!

I actually just got it to work by putting this link in my phones browser http://www.google.com/gmm/apps/v2.2.1/en/BlackBerry-42/GoogleMaps.jad?make=BlackBerry&model=43&ver=v2.2.1&source=mobileproducts&hl=en&noss=1 and downloading it. Yet, now I have another problem where when I try to use it says that "Google Maps can't connect. Try to hold the (left convenience key in a picture)and say business name, example: Luca's pizza, or type of business, example: florist"

I have a VZW 8130. I downloaded GMM 2.2.1, and the voice feature does not work as advertised. Maybe it's important to note that my BB is connected to a BES Server. Just wondering if any security permissions would prevent the app from working. Does anyone from Google read these posts? Please respond that you are at least working to solve the problem...obviously one exists if only a handful of folks claims that their installation worked.

Can we get some clarification from the Google team. Seems like a lot of people are unable to get the voice feature to work. Is this something you guys are finding that isnt working? Is there a solution to fix it or update coming?

Downloaded twice on Verizon BB 8130, takes longer to find my location now and I cannot get the voice feature to work, left convenience button is at default for voice dialing, pressing and holding while in Google Maps just does what it always has,activate voice dialing, what's Up?

Is anyone from Google monitoring this dialog? I would appreciate a response either pointing me to a resolution or just indicating "Hey, we don't know what to tell you, it's beta and you're on your own!

Thank you all for the comments. As this is an experimental version of the product, reading your feedback is very helpful for us. Yes, we are working on this and hope to have another update for you soon. In the mean time, please leave any more detailed comments regarding your 8130 experiences in our discussion forum.

This is incredible. I hope Google roles it out to the BB Curve as well!It was only a matter of time until Google started competing with Garmin :-) And thank you for always saving us money on these silly monthly subscriptions.

Wow... I really think I need to get a Blackberry instead of my WM6 device.

You know, one great thing for you guys to develop would be a 'Send my location as SMS' button. So many phones have GPS these days - it would be so cool to send your location (ie. coordinates in a URL) as a text, and then my friend be able to click it and see it on their phone (running GMM, of course).

I purchased a BB Pearl from Verizon in June '08. I downloaded G-Maps v2.21. I have 2 issues: "My Location" currently shows me about 2 miles in the city from my current location; no matter what option I select for the left key (from the screen/key option), I cannot get the voice recognition. I look forward to the fully functional application. I cannot get MS Live on this system as I think Verizon will not allow this application. Thanks

May not be an application problem. Verizon cripples their phones + mobile devices so while your phone may have GPS capability, Verizon has locked it so only their navigation app can access it (for a fee). While Verizon may have the best network, their devices have been crippled.

Version: 2.2.2 (#2229), Platform: BB-8130_v4_2. After I reinstalled 2.2.2 again and changing my left key back to voice dialing, it still would only activate Sprint's VD. After reading verizon pearl users saying that this version works, I tried resetting google maps under help menu. This did the trick! I was not only able to activate google's voice recording but was also able to change my left convenience key back to app switcher. So far I'm pretty impressed w/ the accuracy of my voice searches. Great job! =)

OK, now I have it working on my Pearl 8130 from Verizon, I uninstalled version 2.2.1, navigated to http://m.google.com/maps?dc=gmm on the BB browser, clicked on "Install Now" selected the check box for "set application permission" and then "Download". When the application permissions window opens, I selected "Allow" for "Media Access", "KeyStroke Injection" "Browser Filtering" and Screen Capturing", probably just need Media Access for it work, I also had switched the default setting for the Left Convenience Key to "Search" but changed it back to Voice Dialing after loading Google Maps again. If you wait until Google Maps has loaded and you change the default permissions for Google Maps after it has been opened, you''ll have to close it and restart for the permissions to take effect. Good Luck!

re from braxtoq method: I now have it working on my Pearl 8130 from Verizon, I followed the uninstall. My phone would navigate to this website: http://m.google.com/maps?dc=gmm but the file wanted to download as a cab file and only wanted to install on the media card. I never found the icon on the home screen nor did I find Google Maps in the application file. I was successful in redownloading Google Maps from Google Updater. I restarted my phone, went to profiles--> advanced options--> applications--> and edited permissions to allow connections, interactions, and user data. I did not get these aformentioned messages at all anywhere in the download: "When the application permissions window opens, I selected "Allow" for "Media Access", "KeyStroke Injection" "Browser Filtering" and Screen Capturing", probably just need Media Access for it work, I also had switched the default setting for the Left Convenience Key to "Search" but changed it back to Voice Dialing after loading Google Maps again" Bottom line, I was able to perform voice activation on Google Maps with the left convenience key in this application (the left convenience key is assigned to "browser" when on the home screen. Thanks to all who contributed to our knowledge and execution this task!

After I downloaded the most recent version of Google Maps (2.2 I think) to my 8130 / Verizon, when I fired it up and got the media access error, I did a Google and found a clue on Crackberry http://tinyurl.com/654pyd - After a bit of putzing around searching the 8130 menus, I was able to setup my Google Maps Voice Search on my like so:

I have an 8130 and I could not get it to work either. I tried what R. Richard Hobbs suggested above which was going to Home Screen / Options / Advanced Options / Applications / Google Maps / (Ribbon / Blackberry Key) Edit Permissions / Interactions / permission was set to "custom" (default?) change to "allow". Now it is working for me!